Key-fastener.



No. 760,071. PATENTED MAY 17,1904.

' w, P. KENTOFP.

KEYI'ASTBNBR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1903. RENEWED APR. 16, 1904;

.NO MODEL.

} Attorricy UNITED STATES Patented May 1'7, 1904.

WILLIAM F. KENTOFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KEY-FASTENER.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,071, dated May 17,1904.

Application iiled May12,1903. Renewed April 15, 1904. Serial No. 203,353. (No nit-a1.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. KEN'roEF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Key-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable devices for use in connection with locks for preventing the key from being withdrawn therefrom; and it consists in the provision of a key-retaining member pro- Vided with an enlarged end which is designed to be inserted edgewise in the keyhole and turned a one-half revolution, whereby the projecting edges of the enlarged end may be held against the opposite edges of the keyhole in the casing of the lock, and in the provision of a spring-actuated washer carried on said member and bearing between the same and the loop and handle end of the member, whereby the inner end of the key-holder is held in a horizontal position, thereby preventing the withdrawal of the key until the member has first I been removed.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically defined in the appended claim and is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved device shown as fastened in a keyhole. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through a por tion of a door and lock, showing the manner in which the member for preventing the key being removed is held within the casing of the lock and in the path of the tongue of the key, thereby preventing the latter being removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the lock, showing in side elevation my improved device for preventing the removal of keys in elevation; and Fig 4 is an enlarged detail View of the member itself.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates a portion of a door having a lock therein, and B an escutcheon for the keyhole, and C designates one of the walls of the lock, having a keyhole C therein.

The device forming the subject-matter of my invention comprises a metallic member E, having a linger-loop E at one end, while its opposite end is broadened and provided with tapering edges and its other faces parallel and flattened somewhat. Mounted upon the shank portion of said member is a washer G, and a spring K is interposed between said washer and the finger-engaging end of the member.

In adjusting the device in place within the lock the key N is inserted in the lock and turned so that its tongue end will be in substantially a position at right angles to the keyhole-aperture in the casing of the lock, and after the bolt has been thrown into locked relation said member is inserted edgewise through the escutcheon and into the keyhole in the wall of the casing of the lock. As said member is pushed into the keyhole the washer on the shank portion thereof will come in contact with the outer face of the escuteheon, and a slight pressure will be required to insert the member, so that its inner end will enter the keyhole-aperture in the casing of the lock.

After the inner flaring end is inserted edge- I wise through the keyhole of the casing it is partially turned, so as to be at right angles to the length of the keyhole, and the pressure of the spring will cause the same to be held at right angles to the length of the keyhole-open ing in the casing, and the opposite inclined edges of said member will engage and be securel y held to the opposite-edges of the keyhole in the casing and in the path of the tongue of the key, thus preventing the same from being withdrawn from the look.

When it is desired to remove the member from the lock, the operator merely pushes in upon the member, imparts a partial turn to the same, and the device is easily removed.

From the foregoing it will be observed that my invention may be easily attached and applied to any lock and may be carried conveniently for use in hotels and other places.

It will be noted that, if desired, the operator may look the door from either side and remove the key from the lock, then insert in the lock the key-retaining member provided With an enlarged end, which is designed to be inserted edgewise in the keyhole and turned a one-half revolution, wherebythe projecting edges of the enlarged end may be held against the opposite edges of the keyhole in the casing of the lock, thereby making it impossible for any person to insert a key in the look from the opposite side of the door, thus making it a valuable device for use by traveling men and others, for use in hotels, public buildings, private houses, &c.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

A device for preventing a key from being turned in a lock comprising a member having a shank portion with a T-shaped end adapted to be inserted through a keyhole longitudinally therewith and turned at right angles to engage the opposite marginal edges of the keyhole, a head at the opposite end of the shank portion, and a spring adapted to bear between said head and the marginal edges of the keyhole opposite the edges engaged by said T-shaped end, asset forth;

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses;

WILLIAM F. KEN TOFF.

\Vitnessesr JOHN J. CURRAN, ROBERT W. STEWART. 

